Review by Frank Plowright
In presenting a representative selection of British romance comics from the late 1950s to the late 1970s A Very British Affair opens a door into another world, one not necessarily better, but undoubtedly one of very different values. This applies both to the depiction of British society, which underwent a vast change over the period, and to the artistic preferences, but while attitudes are ever-shifting, quality is timeless. That quality may be concealed, though, ironically because so much care was taken in the accurate reproduction of what when produced was up to the minute fashion, both clothing and technology. The first impression given, therefore, is of a past belonging to parents, if not the grandparents of most likely buyers, yet a fundamental premise of this collection is to look beyond and appreciate
The sample art combines the splash pages from the first and last stories selected by curator David Roach. Shirley Bellwood’s skilled portraiture from 1957 is undeniable, and she applies the same diligence to the strip’s remaining two pages, each panel a composition in elegant grey wash. Combined with the anonymous script it’s a masterpiece of compact melodrama. The same assessment applies to ‘Just an Hour to Share’ featuring the confident linework of Spanish artist Marika from 1978. The casual poses belie some noteworthy construction, the hair especially standing out as miraculously created from so few lines.
While many artists included were prolific in British comics, the lack of credit meant their talents passed under the radar, so Roach’s identification work is incredible, itself a notable talent. Only strips by identifiable artists feature, along with brief biographies in the back of the collection, and while the majority of names will only be recognised by comics historians, several are more widely known. Jesús Blasco, John M. Burns, Victor De La Fuente, Carlos Ezquerra, José González, Esteban Maroto and Jordi Badía Romero are artists whose names may ring a bell, but they’re just a few from the 45 selected by Roach, and there’s so much joy in discovering the likes of Gonzales Casarrubio, Carlos Prunés, and Ramon Torrents.
Uncredited at the time, most the writers remain stubbornly anonymous. Writing comics wasn’t considered a CV enhancement back in the day, yet time and again they supply astute reflections of their era, whether intentionally or otherwise. Reputation and virtue are important until the mid-1960s, one story being set around the social awkwardness of a man needing to return a woman’s underwear accidentally removed from the wrong machine at the launderette. Because times have changed there are plenty of sniggers to be had at the likes of someone named Ron Clapp legitimately portrayed as desirable beefcake. There’s also the strange phenomenon of basing stories on the romantic songs of the day, although often so loosely it’s merely the title inspiring events. The battiest is De La Fuente’s interpretation of Eden Kane song ‘A Kind of Lovin’, which takes a massive leap at the end.
Artistically and culturally this is an absolute delight, but actually reading the stories will divide the audience into those appalled at the stereotypes and lack of respect for women, and those able to laugh at times gone by. Everyone should appreciate the art.
